Raising Red Part 1: Positively Influencing The Future Of Agriculture On The Ranch, In Business, And At Home
By: Emma Alexander –
Rogers Cattle Company and Lile Farms Red Angus near Strafford in #Agri-Ready Designated Webster County is a multi-generational Red Angus seedstock ranch partnership between Steven and Jamie Rogers, and Jamie’s parents, Jim and Jan Lile. Steven and Jamie also own ShowMe Genetic Services, a custom semen collection and reproductive services business. Steven and Jamie believe in the future of agriculture and are committed to elevating the beef industry. Their efforts at home, on the ranch, and in agribusiness are creating solutions for today’s beef producers.
Going Red
Steven had purchased his first red cattle more than 20 years ago when he and Jamie married and chose to put down their own roots near Jamie’s hometown in Southwest Missouri.
“We were interested in red cattle because we wanted to be unique, we wanted to be competitive in a different way,” Steven shares.
Rogers Cattle Company Today
About 100 Rogers Red Angus females rotate across the pastures of Lile Farms while the entire family works together to store forage needed for the winter months. Rogers Cattle Company welcomes most of their annual calf crop in the fall. Along with natural breeding, they utilize artificial insemination and embryo transfers to expedite production of their exceptional females.
Cattle That Will Work At Home
Over the years, Steven and Jamie purchased Red Angus cattle from 12 different states. “The truth is that cattle we brought in from non-fescue states just didn’t work here,” Steven recalls. “What we needed were adaptable females.” Steven and Jamie knew that what they valued could be a great service to the beef industry and their fellow producers. They chose to become Red Angus seedstock developers.
The U.S. fescue belt spans Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri to the eastern seaboard, covering 15 states. This region is reliant predominantly on tall fescue, a perennial cool-season grass that is easy to establish and persists under various conditions and grazing systems. Approximately 40% of U.S. cow-calf operations call this area home.
Goals for Development
“Our first goal remains: seeing our cows working anywhere. We look for good udders, feet and legs, disposition, adaptability, and fertility,” Steven emphasizes. “Pampering pure bred cattle doesn’t help our customers.” The Rogers tune into health benchmarks and nutrition standards so they can confidently sell the productive cattle their customers need and want.
Family-Friendly Red Angus
“Red Angus are phenomenal mothers, more heat tolerant and more docile,” Steven says. “Like so many families of beef producers, our operation is multi-generational. My in-laws are working cattle, Jamie and I are working cattle, and our kids are working cattle. A cow’s disposition and gentleness are paramount to us.” With a smirk he adds, “Sometimes the cattle are so gentle that it can be frustrating.”
ShowMe Genetic Services
As their cattle company excelled, Steven and Jamie created another opportunity to serve the beef industry in the heart of cow-calf country. In 2019, they opened ShowMe Genetic Services, a custom cattle semen collection facility. Bulls visit the ShowMe facility for a day or 2-6 weeks while others will stay for up to 6 months, participating in rigorous health testing and valuable collection appointments.
“Our goal at ShowMe is to provide ‘one-stop’ service to our customers by providing all the resources needed for artificial insemination from collection, storage, shipping, retail semen sales, AI supplies, liquid nitrogen, tank sales, and more,” Steven says.
ShowMe offers a full line of show supplies, a glimpse into part of Steven and Jamie’s long-game plan. Steven (1995-96) and Jamie (2001-02) both served as President for the Missouri FFA Association and pursued careers in agriculture education, so they are passionate about paving the way for the next generation of agriculturalists.
The Next Generation
Steven and Jamie’s sons, Eli (15) and Ethan (13), are contributing members of the family’s farm, ranch, and agribusiness team. The daily experiences of these well-rounded, proactive young men are preparing them to become successful agriculturalists as adults. Be sure to check out Raising Red: Part 2 to meet the next generation of Rogers Cattle Company.
#Agri-Ready Designated Webster County: According to the 2021 Missouri Economic Contribution of Agriculture and Forestry Study, agriculture contributes $118.6 million in value added products to Webster County’s economy, supports more than 3,400 jobs, and adds $168.2 million to household incomes annually. Livestock dominates the farming landscape in Webster County, accounting for 87% of farm receipts. Among cattle producing counties in the nation’s third largest cow calf producing state, Webster ranks 11th, according to the 2022 USDA NASS Census of Agriculture.
Off The Ranch: Steven appreciates that improving the Red Angus breed and their marketability doesn’t just happen at home on the ranch. This is why he has volunteered on national Red Angus committees and served on the board of the Missouri Red Angus Association over the last decade, helping to drive producer-led growth and marketing for the breed.